Former QB McNair, woman found shot to death
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was shot multiple times, including a shot to the head, and a pistol was discovered near the body of the 20-year-old woman found dead with him Saturday in a downtown condominium.
Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron identified the woman as Sahel Kazemi, whom he called a “friend” of McNair’s. She had a single gunshot wound to the head.
Autopsies for both were planned for today.
Aaron said McNair’s wife, Mechelle, is “very distraught.”
“At this juncture, we do not believe she is involved,” he said. “Nothing has been ruled out, but as far as actively looking for a suspect tonight, the answer would be no.”
McNair was 36 and played 13 seasons before retiring in 2008.
Aaron said officers went to the scene after receiving a call about injured persons inside the condo.
The condominium is one that McNair was known to frequent, but police spokeswoman Kristin Mumford said she didn’t know if he was the owner.
McNair quarterbacked the Tennessee Titans to a 22-16 victory over the Buffalo Bills in the January 2000 AFC wild card playoff game dubbed the “Music City Miracle.” Tennessee won the game in the closing seconds when Kevin Dyson received a controversial lateral and scored the winning touchdown on a kick return.
A four-time Pro Bowler, McNair then led the Titans within a yard of forcing overtime in the 2000 Super Bowl, which they lost 23-16 to the St. Louis Rams. He also played for the Baltimore Ravens before retiring.
About 50 people crowded just beyond police tape outside the condominium complex in the upscale Rutledge Hill neighborhood, some wearing Titans hats.
“We don’t know the details, but it is a terrible tragedy and our hearts go out to the families involved,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.
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